Radcliffe Observatory Quarter

Phase 2

Mathematical Institute and

Humanities Building & LIBRARY 12

Landscape & Public Realm

Site Analysis

The Masterplan demands a unified

Opportunity to create public
spaces for people to enjoy
Opportunity reinforce the existing garden
character and setting for the Observatory
Opportunity to improve connectivity
Opportunity to reinforce and
enhance viual connections
Opportunity for tree planting
landscape and public realm strategy
to unify the site through landscape,
design, materials, furniture, lighting
and planting. The emerging masterplan
envisages a major redevelopment
of the site including the demolition
of all non-listed buildings, and
refurbishment of those that remain.

The principal aims for

the public realm is to:
• Establish an identity
for the area.
• Create a new breathing
space around the
Radcliffe Observatory.
• Ensure that landscape
proposals are designed to
afford access and enjoyment
for everyone, safely and
without prejudice.
• Provide a safe and enjoyable
environment for all those
who frequent the site.
• Create new, high quality public
spaces and routes which
will provide an improved
pathway for people walking
(and cycling) between
Woodstock Road and Walton
Street and provide easy
access into the heart of the
proposed University scheme.
The Mathematical Institute
and Humanities Building
landscape and public realm
has been conceived for the
benefit of local residents,
students, and visitors alike.

Above: Site Analysis Study

The proposed developments in

Radcliffe Observatory Quarter will
open up the site, provide a square,
public courtyards and gardens
as well as giving new breathing
space around the Observatory.

The different characters identified

for the public realm within the ROQ
masterplan will reinforce the identity
of the spaces. In contrast, the routes
within the masterplan will have a
similar character to assist wayfinding.
The character areas within the
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter are:

Radcliffe Observatory Quarter Garden

Library Square
Humanities Courtyard
Mathematics Garden &
Fountain Courtyard
Street
Lane

Above: Site wide Strategy

Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Phase 2

Mathematical Institute and

Humanities Building & LIBRARY 13

Landscape and Public Realm Proposals

Radcliffe Observatory
Quarter Garden

Mathematics Garden

Humanities Courtyard
Pocket Square

Library Square

Street and Lanes Proposal

Street Zoom In Section I-I’ Lane Zoom In Section J-J’

Library Lantern – View from the vertical reader platform with views towards the Radcliffe Lantern

Cycle stands on Planting Clay

cropped silver grey buffer Route Path pavers Route
Clay pavers
granite paving

Cycle stands on Hedge Cycle stands on Cycle Raised Cycle Cycle stands on Cycle stands on Cycle Cycle
cropped silver grey planting cropped silver grey stands planter stands cropped silver grey cropped silver grey stands stands
granite paving granite paving granite paving granite paving

Cycle parking softened by hedge and tree Trees on pedestrian route, Cycle parking under Pedestrians and cyclists Cycle parking along street Cycle parking along a lane The narrow lane between Brasenose Lane
planting, Clemestorget, Lund, Sweden South Bank, London trees in Berlin on New Road, Brighton in Malmo, Sweden in the Science Area, Oxford three storey buildings have
an intimate and human
scale, St. Christopher’s Place
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Phase 2

Mathematical Institute and

Humanities Building & LIBRARY 14

Radcliffe Observatory Garden Radcliffe Observatory Quarter Garden

The Radcliffe Observatory garden is

bordered by the Radcliffe Observatory
and the proposed Humanities
and Mathematics buildings.

• The character of the garden is inspired

by the existing Observatory garden with
its informal lawns and tree planting. A

Mounded landform Lawn with large scale trees

• The proposed trees frame the views
of the Observatory and the proposed
library lantern and help direct
1h
pedestrians through the garden. 1g

1b

• Informal mounds have been carefully 1d 1b

created to create visual and spatial 1h

1c
1a

interest and to create additional 1f

Sinuous band of Crocus Lawn and large trees in Green
planting depth for tree planting. 1c
planting on lawn Templeton Garden
1e
1h

1b

1a Opportunity for undulating lawns

A’
for activity and relaxation

1b Opportunity for large trees to frame views, give

shadow and a green quality to the space Plan
0 5 10 20 30 40 50m

1c Opportunity for bespoke seating Student activity on lawn Organic shape of mounded lawn

1d Route for perambulation

1e
Route (trafficable) meanders through the
Park to access the other parts of the site
1f Light wells take down light to Library
and connects outdoor with indoor
1g Low hedge

1h Nodal space with seating opportunities

Self binding Permeable resin

Section A-A’ gravel path Light well bound gravel path

Hedge Mounded lawn Mounded Maintenance

lawn strip Quercus robur Betula jacquemontii Fagus sylvatica

Humanities Courtyard Humanities Courtyard

The Humanities Courtyard is set

within the heart of the Oxford Radcliffe
Observatory Quarter. It is proposed to
be a comfortable space to enjoy. It is
envisaged that students and visitors will 3h

relax on the lawn or the large bespoke 3g

benches amongst the planted borders.

Lush planting, trees and seating The views into the courtyard spaces will
• Planted buffers will allow a 3f
3j 3a
be of planting mixed with seating areas
3d
sense of privacy for those 3j
studying within the buildings. 3g 3f

3i
3b
• Cycle provision on site are 3c
3e

considerable, provision can be 3h 3d

made within the courtyard.

• The sunken courtyards will incorporate View into sunken

courtyard from above
large areas of planting with seating showing mixed
amongst the raised planters. Lawn sloping towards the sun, Parc Citroen, Paris
planting and seating

• Tree canopies emerging from the

sunken courtyards will further animate
the main Humanities courtyard.

3a Planting buffer
3b Sunken garden
3c Timber topped bespoke seating
Plan 0 5 10 20 30 40 50m Example of a space in two levels that is Planting creates shelter
3d Planters visually unified by a planting pattern and defines the lawn
3e Large lawn for relaxing and sunbathing and seating areas
Section D-D’ Section E-E’
3f Intimate spaces
3g Tree planting
3h Cycle stands
3i Recycled concrete paving
3j Timber topped seating wall

Sunken Courtyard with Raised lawn with timber Timber topped Cycle Cycle Timber topped
Path planting and seating areas topped seating wall bespoke bench Path stands stands bespoke bench

Planter Cycle Path Route Raised planter Raised Planter Planter Sunken Courtyard with Route
stands planter planting and seating areas
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Phase 2

Mathematical Institute and

Humanities Building & LIBRARY 15

Library Square Library Square

Library Square is a principal hub

within the ROQ masterplan and is
enclosed by a number of buildings
of varying architectural styles. B’

• The landscape proposals seek

to create a unified square by
using the complex levels within 2b

this space to create attractive Level changes incorporating steps, ramp and trees Seating steps
seating and paving solutions.
2f C’

• The proposed paving will address 2g

the surrounding buildings 2a

individually through the use of

subtle variations in the paving size, 2d
2c
texture or colour, creating a carpet
like effect across the square.
Cafe spill out Level changes incorporating steps and seating
• Cafe tables and chairs can spill 2a 2b

out onto the square further B’

animating the space. 2e

C 2d

• A tree has been carefully positioned 2d

to provide shade and enhance the

long views leading towards the
square from the surrounding lanes.
Plan 0 5 10 50m
Tree providing shade Examples of paving patterns with varying
20 30 40
2a Seating steps along the square in the sun textures, sizes and pattern directions in Oxford

2b Stepped access into the square Section B-B’ Section C-C’

2c Opportunity for outdoor cafe space

2d Potential entrances to buildings

2e Tree to create shade and to frame Lane

views along the lanes Cafe Spill Out Area Seating Steps

2f Main entrance to Humanities Building

2g Entrance to unit within the

Humanities Courtyard Steps Granite Paving with Seating Lane Seating Tree Granite Paving with
Humanities Building Stainless Steel Edging Steps Stainless Steel Edging

Mathematics Mathematics Garden & Fountain Courtyard

The Mathematics courtyard responds E North South Street

to both the formal setting of the Grade
II listed Infirmary and the rhythm of the
Mathematics building facade with the use
of a formal layout. The central lawn and
planting formation reinforce the prominence
of the Infirmary by framing the classical
The main North-South Street will be a D
well used pedestrian route within the ROQ
connecting the East-West 1 link through to
the Radcliffe Observatory Garden.
The design of the street includes; Feature stone paving defining the main entrance point

architecture and allowing the Infirmary to sit

comfortably within the space. • clay pavers in keeping with the Radcliffe Observatory
Quarter Garden
character of Oxford streets,
There are three principal character areas • a large volume of cycle stands which G C

including the entrance space, the garden have been positioned to reflect the 4a
4b

space and the cycle parking area. rhythm of the Mathematics facade, A Resin bound gravel path Wadham College Court
St Lukes
• a band of planting to create a buffer Mathematics Courtyard

A The entrance space will; between the main thoroughfare and the 4c

• be paved with high quality stone to cycle parking area,

4d
further define the space, • trees dotted in raised planters along the Mathematical Institute F 4d

• create a gathering space, length of the street breaking up the view

Parterre planting
• have seating opportunities provided whilst framing the Observatory to the G’ Seating close to planting

around the edges, North, 4f Fountain Courtyard

• maintain views of the Chapel by careful • a node towards the middle of the street
H’
positioning of trees. providing an opportunity for people to sit 4b I’
and relax, with views to the Observatory, Radcliffe Infirmary
4f
B The garden space will; • cropped granite setts along the proposed
Outpatients Building
• provide a comfortable area for people to buildings on which the cycle stands will I
H B
4e
relax and enjoy the surroundings, be positioned.
• create a flexible space for small E 4g
Buffer planting
4a Planting buffer
gatherings, Humanities Building
4g

• have seating opportunities incorporated 4b Cycle stands incorporated in tree and

hedge planting
into raised planters, J

• enhance the sense of intimacy within 4c Feature stone paving

F’
the courtyard and privacy within the 4d Planters
Infirmary and Mathematical Institute 4e Lawn for relaxing and sunbathing
through the use of a planted buffer. 4f Tree planting
J’

Timber topped seating Plan

C The cycle parking area will; 4g
0 5 10 20 30 40 50m
Seating on lawn

• be softened with planting,

• have a planting buffer towards the
Section F-F’ Section G-G’ Section H-H’
Mathematical Institute.

D The entrance space to ROQ site and

Mathematical Institute will;
• be characterized by the ROQ Garden,
• provide cycle parking for students,
• be the main vehicle access point to the
Mathematical Institute underground
Resin bound Timber topped Timber
parking, gravel path seating wall Path Path seating Path Path Path
• be the main vehicle access point for Planting Raised Lawn Raised Planting Entrance court with feature paving Raised planting Planting Raised Planter Planting
green Templeton College parking. buffer planter planter buffer buffer buffer planter buffer